Slow Struggle Turns Into Frantic Finish as Tiger Boys Hold Off North Nodaway

What started off as a sleepy defensive struggle for three quarters turned into a frantic finish as Worth County’s boys held off North Nodaway 48-41 Tuesday. The Tigers dropped the GRC Showcase game against South Harrison 58-56 in a game that was close all the way.

At first, it looked like North Nodaway would take control as Cody Wood scored off a steal and a driving floater and Arron Coleman scored off an inside shot and a putback as they led 8-3 at the 3:59 mark. But then Worth County adjusted on Wood, stopping his right hand, and they got back in the game as Jaxon Anderson’s three point play and backdoor layup tied it back up at 8-8. Caleb Parman’s drive and putback and Anderson’s free throw made it 11-8 before Coleman hit two free throws to cut North Nodaway’s deficit to 11-10 after one.

Wood’s three-pointer put North Nodaway back in front 17-14 early in the second, but Jackson Runde came off the bench for Worth County and scored twice as the Tigers fought back again to tie at 18. Caleb Parman’s putback put Worth County in front 20-18.

Ryan Riley’s three put North Nodaway ahead again 21-20, and Jacob New picked up his third foul for Worth County, but New got a putback, Caleb Parman converted a three point play, and Aydan Gladstone scored off a drive to put Worth County in front 27-21 with 1:21 left in the half. North Nodaway fought back as Tyler Bix was in trouble, but somehow got the ball down low to Arron Coleman for a three point play and Coleman scored off a drive to make it 27-26 at the half.

Jacob New scored off a Jaxon Anderson kickout for three and added a pair of free throws off a steal to start the scoring for Worth County to make it 32-26. Wood countered with a drive that made it 32-28, but then Caleb Parman got it to Anderson, whose drive made it 34-28 with 5:33 left. That was it scoringwise for either team for the next five minutes as neither team could solve the other’s defense. Anderson’s free throw with 42 seconds left was the only other tally for either team and Worth County led 35-28 after three.

The score was stuck there until the 6:24 mark of the fourth, when Jackson Runde skipped a pass to Alex Rinehart for three to make it 38-28. That seemed to wake the teams out of their slumber as they both traded buckets for the next few minutes. Worth County led by at least seven until they had turnovers on consecutive possessions and Arron Coleman’s steal with 1:51 left suddenly made it five points at 42-37.

North Nodaway put on a press and Tyler Bix took a charge on Caleb Parman, but Jackson Runde stole it right back for Worth County. North Nodaway stole it back and Arron Coleman missed a contested look inside that would have made it three. Aydan Gladstone missed a 1-1 with 56 seconds left and Ryan Riley’s putback made it 42-39 with 36 seconds left.

Caleb Parman got through the press to make it 44-39 with 28 seconds left, but Cody Wood rushed it down the floor to make it 44-41 with 20 seconds left. The Mustangs fouled Parman with 15 seconds left, but Caleb Parman, who had been clutch for Worth County the past few games, hit both free throws to make it 46-41. Wood drove into traffic, but missed, and Tyler Bix missed a putback try. Caleb Parman hit two free throws with 4.4 seconds left to clinch it.

Caleb Parman had 18 points to lead Worth County. Jaxon Anderson had 11, Jacob New 7, and Alex Rinehart, Jackson Runde, and Aydan Gladstone had 4.

For North Nodaway, Arron Coleman had 18 points. Cody Wood had 11, Karson Oberhauser and Ryan Riley had 5, and Tyler Bix had 2.